The viewpoint of the prophet -- in captivity

In the prophecy of Ezekiel we have left the touching ground we were on
in Jeremiah. He was within with the judgment hanging over the guilty
city, and under the oppressive sense of the evil which brought on the
ruin, bearing a testimony which, as to apparent result, was of no
avail, though it maintained, in personal sorrow of heart according to
human measure, the glory of God.

Ezekiel had been carried into captivity with the king Jehoiachin; at
least, he was one of those made captive at that time, and he
habitually dates his prophecies from that period -- an important thing
to remark that we may understand the revelations made to him. For
himself there is no more question either of dates or of kings, of
Judah or of Israel. The people of God are in captivity among the
Gentiles. Israel is looked at as a whole; the interests of the whole
nation are before the eye of the prophet. At the same time the capture
of Jerusalem under Zedekiah had not yet taken place. This occasions
the revelation of that king's iniquity, the measure of which was
filled up by his rebellion. For Nebuchadnezzar attached value to the
oath made in the name of Jehovah. He counted upon the respect due to
that name, and Zedekiah had not respected it.

The general contents of the Book

The first twenty-three chapters contain testimonies from God
against Israel in general, and against Jerusalem in particular. After
that the surrounding nations are judged; and then, beginning with
chapter 33, the prophet resumes the subject of Israel, announcing
their restoration as well as their judgment. Finally from chapter 40
to the end we have the description of the temple and of the division
of the land.